CRAWFORD COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Nearly 150 manufacturers, educators, business leaders, and community partners gathered Wednesday, October 14, for Crawford County’s annual Manufacturing Breakfast.
Hosted by the Crawford Partnership and Crawford County Chamber of Commerce, the breakfast brought the local manufacturing community together to hear about industry trends, recognize outstanding employees, and discuss the future of manufacturing in Crawford County.
Dr. Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, served as the featured speaker. Karp shared findings from the 2025 manufacturing survey and discussed new technology, changing workforce needs, and the challenges manufacturers face as they work to remain competitive.
For Crystal Dean, Workforce Development Manager with the Crawford Partnership, the turnout reflected the value of bringing the manufacturing community together.
“Manufacturing is an important part of Crawford County, and this breakfast gives us an opportunity to bring the people doing this work together in one room,” Dean said. “We get to recognize the people making a difference inside our local companies, hear what manufacturers are experiencing, and build relationships that help us better support our employers.”
Those relationships continue throughout the year through business visits, school partnerships, workforce initiatives, and connections to local resources.
The morning also included recognition of outstanding employees nominated by their employers for their leadership, dedication, growth, and contributions over the past year.
The Crawford Partnership and Crawford County Chamber of Commerce thanked event sponsors Forge Fire & Company, First Financial Bank, and the Crawford County Safety Council for their support, as well as 3 Girls & a Kitchen Catering for providing breakfast.
With nearly 150 people in attendance, this year’s Manufacturing Breakfast highlighted the strength of Crawford County’s manufacturing community and the importance of working together to prepare for what comes next.